大外刈 O-soto-gari major outer reap

O-soto-gari in detail

Reference video

Classification

O-soto-gari (大外刈, "major outer reap") is the sixth throw of the first group (Dai Ikkyo) of the Kodokan Gokyo and one of the most powerful foot techniques (ashi-waza). It is among the first throws a beginner learns and remains one of the most scored techniques in competition. Tori breaks Uke's balance backwards, closes in and reaps Uke's supporting leg away from behind.

Principle

Tori pulls the sleeve in and pushes the lapel up and back while stepping in deep, so that Uke tilts slightly towards his right foot and the weight goes back onto the right heel. That leg now carries Uke and cannot move. Tori closes in chest to chest and reaps the leg from behind: the back of Tori's thigh against the back of Uke's thigh, the leg going up while Tori's head goes down like a seesaw. With nothing left under the body, Uke falls backwards over that leg and turns on the way down, landing with the head at Tori's feet and the body lying away on Tori's left.

Grips (kumikata)

The animation shows two right-handed judoka in ai-yotsu: both stand in migi shizentai (right foot forward) and grip the same way – right hand on the partner's left lapel, left hand on the partner's right sleeve.

• Left hand (hikite): the outside of Uke's right sleeve at the elbow. It pulls Uke's right side in towards Tori's chest and keeps hold during the fall.
• Right hand (tsurite): Uke's left lapel, high. It pushes up and back to bring Uke's weight onto the heels.

Step-by-step

1. Kuzushi: pull the sleeve to your chest and push the lapel up and back.
2. Step deep: at the same time, step the left foot deep beside the outside of Uke's right foot, toes forward. Uke's weight goes onto the right heel.
3. Close in: chest to chest, right shoulder to right shoulder. Your hips stay beside Uke's right hip, not in front of it.
4. Swing: swing the right leg forward close past the outside of Uke's right leg.
5. Reap: swing the leg back hard against the back of Uke's thigh while your head goes down. Uke's legs are swept away.
6. Finish: stay balanced on the left foot, keep the sleeve and lift it; Uke lands on the back with the head at your feet, slapping the mat with the left arm.

Key points to get right

These points are also shown as callouts in the animation at the moment they matter.

• Sleeve to the chest, lapel up and back. Kuzushi first – without it, Uke simply steps back.
• Step deep beside Uke's right foot. A shallow step leaves you too far away to reap.
• Chest to chest, swing the right leg forward. Close contact keeps Uke trapped on the heel.
• Reap from behind – head down, leg up. The seesaw of head and leg gives the reap its power.
• Keep the sleeve, stay balanced. A controlled finish protects Uke's head.

Variations and related techniques

• O-soto-otoshi: the leg is placed behind Uke's leg and Uke is dropped over it instead of reaped.
• O-soto-guruma: the reaping leg blocks both of Uke's legs and Uke wheels over it.
• Ko-soto-gari / Ko-soto-gake: the minor outer reap and hook against the same leg, lower and from further out.
• O-soto-makikomi: Tori winds in with the arm and falls with Uke.

Combinations and counters

Set-ups: O-uchi-gari or Ko-uchi-gari make Uke step back and shift the weight – the moment for O-soto-gari; when Uke steps away, Harai-goshi or Uchi-mata can follow. Counters (kaeshi-waza): O-soto-gaeshi (Uke reaps Tori's reaping leg back) or Ura-nage, especially when Tori reaps without kuzushi or stays upright.

Safety for teaching

Uke falls straight backwards and fast, so a reliable rear breakfall (ushiro ukemi) with the chin tucked is essential before throwing. Tori keeps the sleeve and lifts it at the end so Uke's head cannot hit the mat. Teach the reap first as uchi-komi without throwing, then throw slowly onto a crash mat if available.